31 



John II. Adams, Milton, cut flowers, $2. 



Diplomas — Mrs. George Vose, Milton, for cut flowers and 

 dahlias, diploma. 



Mrs. Hannah P. Mcintosh, East Needham, for box of asters, 

 diploma. 



Wtld Flowers — None on exhibition. 



Amongst the many choice duhhas was one presented bj Mrs. 

 George Vose, of Milton, which we have never seen equalled. 

 Two perfectly distinct flowers were found growing upon the same 

 stock, of beautifully shaded tints, and of different hues — the one a 

 dark crimson, the other a purple shaded white, and both of per- 

 fect form and brilliant color. 



For the Committee, 



ROBERT WATT, Chairman. 



West Roxhury, Dec. 5, ISGi. 



The following article upon the Gladiolus was kindly prepared 

 by that accomplished florist, Mr. George Craft, of Brookline, and 

 is herewith subjoined as an appendix to the Report on Flowers. 



Robert Watt, Chairman. 



THE GLADIOLUS. 



BY G. CRAFT. 



To the Chairman of the Floioer Committee : — 



Valuable articles upon the history and cultivation of this plant, 

 from the pens of eminent and experienced florists, both of this and 

 foreign countries, have appeared within the past few years, chiefly 

 in works devoted exclusively to horticulture and floriculture. 

 These savans leave not a very tempting prospect to encourage 

 one to follow and drag the loafer's rake. Few farmers wish to 

 " thresh straw that has been twice threshed before." 



1 comply with your request that 1 should furnish something 

 on the Gladiolus, partly, because I suppose that Committees have 

 a right to require of those who exhibit animals, plants, or articles, 

 some account of the management, or mode of culture which has 

 been pursued, or any facts respecting them which the Committee 

 may deem advisable, and, partly, because being a " species " of the 

 '• genus" farmer, I should rejoice if any thing herein contained, 

 resulting from some ten years' experience, should contribute in 

 any measure towards making any of that "order" better ac- 

 quainted \<\i\i " one of the grandest and most varied of autumnal 

 flowers," whose ease of culture, diversity and beauty of color, and 



